police officer shoots boyfriend, kills self www.privateofficer.com

WALDORF, Md. — Jan 30, 2008
Charles County sheriff’s deputies said an off-duty Prince George’s County police officer shot a man multiple times before fatally shooting herself on Sunday afternoon, News4’s Darcy Spencer reported.
The officer involved has been identified as Tora Lynn Coates, 38. The incident happened at about 12:30 p.m. at a home in the 5800 block of Opaleye Court in Waldorf.
Police said Coates shot her fiance several times before turning the gun on herself.
Coates died but her fiance survived, police said.
The 45-year-old man was taken by helicopter to a local hospital, where he is in critical condition.
Coates worked in the internal affairs department for Prince George’s County police. “Our police department family is deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic death of Sgt. Tora Coates, a 15 year veteran of the Prince George’s County Police Department,” the department said in a statement issued on Monday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Coates’ family, even as our own hearts are filled with sadness.

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Police, Federal Agents, 3000 Private Security to Guard Superbowl www.privateofficer.com

PHOENIX AZ. Jan 30, 2008 – It’s been nearly six and a half years since the tragedies of 9/11, but the security presence at this week’s Super Bowl makes it difficult to forget the impact of that day.
Flanked by a small army of high-ranking local and national security officials, NFL VP of security Milt Ahlerich yesterday detailed a protocol that seemed fit more for a presidential motorcade than a football game. According to Secret Service special agent Ken Huffer, Sunday’s game has been deemed a Level 1 national security event by the Homeland Security Department, a designation normally reserved for events such as State of the Union addresses and visits from foreign dignitaries.
Along with Secret Service and FBI personnel, police forces from Glendale and Phoenix, and 3,000 private security guards hired by the NFL, will monitor the ground and air at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The airspace surrounding the stadium will be restricted – not even the Goodyear blimp will be allowed to fly.
“We take this kind of event extremely seriously,” said FBI special agent-in-charge John Lewis, adding that the threat of terrorist activity at the game is “very low.”
There has never been a terrorist attack – or credible threat of one – at an American sporting event, but Lewis said the extreme precautions were still warranted.
“We cannot let our guard down,” he said, adding that there had been no threats “of any sort” received this week.
Fans attending the game should expect delays getting into the stadium, and thorough searches of their belongings, Ahlerich said.
“This is not a Super Bowl of security,” he said. “(But) deterrence is extraordinarily important.”
While the extra measures may cause some inconvenience for fans, Ahlerich says it will be worth it in the end.
“(Fans) will be safe. We are very, very confident of that.”

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Base Security Help Nab Cooper Thieves www.privateofficer.com

Base Security Help Nab Copper Thieves www.privateofficer.com

CONCORD CA Jan 30, 2008 — Sheriff’s deputies arrested two men this morning suspected of pilfering copper from abandoned buildings at the Concord Naval Weapons Station, police said.
Security officers on the base heard suspicious activity emanating from inside one of the warehouses about 1:45 a.m., said Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hebel.
“They could tell by the sounds that there might have been metal theft going on,” Hebel said.
The officers contacted the Sheriff’s Office, and deputies arrived with a canine unit. Shortly deputies announced their presence, one of the suspects ran out of the warehouse.
The dog gave chase and latched onto the thigh of the man, later identified as 50-year-old Hayward resident Matthew Apodaca. He was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Concord for treatment.
Deputies also detained 49-year-old Oakland resident Terry Harding, who was with Apodaca. They found nearby a 1986 Ford pickup truck believed to have been the intended transport for the copper haul.
Both men were turned over to the custody of Concord police, which has jurisdiction over the inland base of the weapons station. The Sheriff’s Office patrols the unincorporated areas adjacent to the station.
Harding was booked into County Jail on suspicion of burglary and grand theft and held on $40,000 bail. Apodaca is awaiting medical clearance before being taken to jail.

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ALERT; IRS Internet Scam www.privateofficer.com

ATLANTA GA Jan 30, 2008

The beginning of tax season is the beginning of scam season – and scam artists are already on the prowl, plotting to get your money. A new e-mail scam promising a tax refund is making the rounds online.
The e-mail, which looks like an officical IRS-issued e-mail, says the government wants to give you money. It claims, “After the last annual calculation of your fiscal activity, we have determined that you are eligible to recieve a tax refund of $134.80…”

It goes on to request that you click on the link and submit your tax refund request – in the process, submitting your Social Security number and other personal information that could lead to identity theft.

To avoid the fraudulent trap, police and financial advisors say to pay attention to the details: the IRS would not send out a request or unsolicited e-mails. And before sending out any personal information, make sure you confirm the source of the e-mail. If in doubt..check it out! Call the IRS and verify that they are trying to reach you before giving any information to anyone!
Authorties also urge you to realize that as appealing as offers like this are, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

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Walmart Employee Brutally Beaten By Shoplifter www.privateofficer.com

KERNSERVILLE, N.C. -Jan 30, 2008 – A Wal-Mart employee trying to obtain the license plate number of an shoplifter was brutally beaten when the suspect turned on him, Kernersville police said Tuesday.
Kenneth Lehman, a customer service manager at the Kernersville Wal-Mart, said he wasn’t trying to be a hero, just help police catch a culprit who had run out of the store with a boxed home theater system.
“It was pretty frightening,” Lehman said in an exclusive interview with local news. “It was something you’re not expecting — never happened before. It was an experience.
The robber fractured Lehman’s skull, and left him with a black eye and other bruises during the beating.
“When I was on the ground, and he was stomping on me — he was yelling at me, and cussing at me, and daring me to get back up, and I didn’t know when he was going to stop,” Lehman said.
Police, who said the man fled the area in a two-door red hatchback, are studying store surveillance video to look for clues.
“As far as the general public is concerned, they can be a good witness,” said James Osborne of the Kernersville Police Department. “And by being a good witness they can observe the person — see if there’s anything unique about the person — scars, tattoos, and see the type of vehicle they get in.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Kernersville Police Department.

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Pawnshop owner guilty of selling shoplifted merchandise www.privateofficer.com

Pawnshop Owner Guilty of Selliing Shoplifted Merchandise www.privateofficer.com

Charlestown W.V. Jan 30 2008

A man accused of using his Charleston pawnshop to sell stolen goods over the Internet pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to money laundering.
Toney Lee Corey admitted that he earned roughly $350,000 between May 2004 and June 2006 by selling stolen goods on the eBay Web site.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Forbes said that investigators from the Charleston Police Department, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation all contributed to the investigation into illegal activity at the Trading Post, Corey’s East End pawnshop.
Corey routinely paid 25 percent of the value of stolen merchandise, including electronics, from a loosely organized shoplifting ring that lifted goods in West Virginia, Ohio and Virginia, she said.
The items were unopened with retail price tags still on them, allowing him to market them online as in-the-box new, Forbes said.
Using his “tradingpost987″ eBay account, Corey sold the merchandise online, then transferred the proceeds into his bank account using PayPal, an online payment processor, according to court documents.
As part of his plea deal, Corey agreed to provide information about other individuals and make restitution of $350,000.
During the hearing, Forbes said Corey’s cooperation had been helpful. She declined to comment on whether any other people involved in funneling stolen goods through the pawnshop were facing additional charges
Last month, federal authorities moved to seize seven East End properties owned by Corey, including the pawnshop. The government alleged that Corey either conducted illegal activity in the properties or bought them with proceeds from his illegal activities.
In an agreement entered on Jan. 16, Corey agreed to forfeit more than $2,800 seized in his bank account in October 2006 and to pay $77,000 within 10 days.
The property at 600 Ruffner Ave. will be sold, and the proceeds will be put towards his court-ordered restitution, the order states.
In exchange, prosecutors released the six other properties from forfeiture.
Earlier this month, Corey testified as a prosecution witness in the murder trial of Michael Merrifield in Putnam County. Merrifield was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 2-year-old Logan Goodall in 2005.
Corey faces up to 20 years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge David A. Faber on July 28.

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Shoplifter charged with robbery after assault www.privateofficer.com

Shoplifter charged with robbery www.privateofficer.com

NEWARK NJ Jan 30 2008– A Newark man is accused of fighting a store security agent Friday evening during an attempted shoplifting.
James W. Daugherty Jr., 26, last known address 979 Grafton Road, Apt. 1, was charged with robbery, a second-degree felony, during a bond hearing Monday at the Licking County Municipal Court.
On Friday, while allegedly attempting to steal a pair of gloves and a license-plate frame, Daugherty was confronted by a Wal-Mart loss-prevention officer outside the front doors of the store, according to a Newark police report.
The security guard claims he grabbed the defendant when he tried to run and Daugherty elbowed him in the face multiple times. The two men then fell to the ground and continued to struggle, until Daugherty was subdued with the help of another employee, the report reads.
When police arrived, Daugherty allegedly resisted arrest and denied stealing any items from the store, according to the report.
Judge David Branstool set Daugherty’s bond at $25,000.

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Son charged in grisley death of mother www.privateofficer.com

Police Officer Charged In “On Duty” Sex Assault www.privateofficer.com

Charlotte N.C. Jan 29 2008

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer was indicted Monday on a charge of first-degree sexual offense in connection with a Nov. 27 incident that occurred while he was on duty and responding to a call.
Officer Joseph D. Anthony III, 39, turned himself in Monday night and bond was set at $10,000, said police officials. The officer is a nine-year veteran of the force and was most recently assigned to the Eastway Division.
Specifics of what occurred Nov. 27 were not disclosed, but investigators said the case did not involve rape.
Investigators say the officer and alleged victim, an adult female, came into contact on Nov. 27 when Anthony was responding to a missing person call. The victim was said to have information about the missing person case, officials said. Anthony and the victim were together for about 45 minutes, officials said.
Investigators say they began investigating Nov. 28, after an officer reported overhearing the woman discuss the alleged offense with someone else.
Detectives interviewed the woman and within three hours of learning the accusations, Anthony was removed from service and placed on paid administrative leave, officials said.
The case was then presented to the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office, which deemed there was enough evidence to seek an indictment on first-degree sexual offense and first-degree kidnapping. The kidnapping charge involves moving the alleged victim to different locations within her residence, officials said.
A separate, internal investigation by the department is nearing completion, officials said.
In a news conference Monday, Police Chief Darrel Stephens said the charges are appalling.
“As difficult as it is for any police department to have charges against one of their own, the CMPD aggressively pursues any allegations of misconduct because nothing is more important than the integrity of the force,” Stephens said.
“These charges sicken me and all of the other men and women of this department. In fact, it is due to the integrity of fellow officers that we got information that enabled us to pursue the investigation

Security officer killed walking home www.privateofficer.com

New York City NY Jan 29 2008

Police are looking for suspects who they say shot a young South Jamaica father in the head Monday morning.
Darkim Spellman, 23, of 111-41 157th St., was found dead outside a furniture store on Supthin Boulevard and 107th Avenue around 4:30 a.m., police said. His mother Kim Spellman of Jamaica said she found out about the shooting before police informed her because an unidentified person called her son’s landlord and informed her where to find the body.

“I last spoke with him last night around one o’clock. He told me, ‘Mommy, I’ll see you in the morning,’ ” she said. Darkim Spellman worked as a security guard in southeast Queens and police say he was walking home. He also had a 2-year-old son who lived in California with his mother, according to Kim Spellman.

No arrests were been made and the investigation was ongoing.

Police said they are looking for more than one suspect.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). All calls will be kept confidential

Alert Casino Security Officer Prevents Disaster www.privateofficer.com

Alert Casino Officer Prevents Fire Disaster www.privateofficer.com

MASHANTUCKET CT. Jan 29 2008 -

Fire officials say that an alert casino security officer who noticed a fire burning in the roof line of the hotel probably prevented the fire from spreading and a major fire and property damage from occurring. Firefighters and police evacuated three floors of the Great Cedar Hotel at the Foxwoods Resort Casino this afternoon after a small fire broke out on the roof, a casino spokesman said.

No one was injured in the blaze, which firefighters extinguished within a half hour.

The hotel security officer noticed the fire at around noon on the corner of the roof above the VIP lounge, Saverio Mancini said. A 911 call was immediately place which dispatched multiple fire agencies, law enforcement, EMS and joint efforts prevented disaster.

Mashantucket Pequot fire fighters responded to the scene, along with fire fighters from Norwich, Mystic and Ledyard.

The 6th, 7th and 8th floors were evacuated as a precaution. Fire fighters are ripping up the roof to make sure they got all the fire, Mancini said.

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Hospital security assist in drug bust www.privateofficer.com

Security, local police coordinate drug bust www.privateofficer.com

Covington LA. Jan 29 2008

Six drug arrests were made recently by the Covington Police Department Street Crimes Unit, bringing the total drug arrests made since April 2007 to 68, according to Lt. Jack West, spokesman for the Covington Police Department.

In one recent arrest, the suspect, Pierre C. Crandle, a parking valet at St. Tammany Parish Hospital, was arrested by Street Crimes Unit officers who pulled up to the hospital in an unmarked SUV.

West said when Crandle approached the car, thinking he was going to be parking it, the officers swiftly leaped from the vehicle, grabbed him and handcuffed him.The arrest had been planned in advance with the hospital security department in order to avoid endangering members of the public or hospital staff.

The hospital security guards, who had coordinated the arrest with the unit, removed his hospital ID card as the arrest was made.”The Street Crimes Unit officers made their arrest and were gone in 60 seconds before anyone knew anything was happening,” West said.Crandle, 20, of 318 W. Edwards St. in Covington, was charged with one count of transactions involving proceeds for drug offenses; one count of possession of marijuana; and one count of possession of drugs in a drug free zone.

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Club Security Officer Forced To Fire On Gang www.privateofficer.com

Club Security Officer Forced To Shoot Gang www.privateofficer.com

Austin TX. Jan 29, 2008

An Austin security officer was on suspension Monday after a weekend shooting at a Northeast Austin night club.
I yelled at stop, get back. They still advanced toward me,” said Marc Chappelle. “I fired three shots.”
Chappelle is a certified, commissioned security officer in Austin. He is licensed to carry a gun. The ex-Air Force cop has used his weapon before, but never while working security.
“The thought of having to use it, that’s always in the back of your mind, but it’s always the last thing I’d ever want to do,” said Chappelle.
Chappelle has worked weekends at Club Navegante for the past month. But early Saturday morning, he found himself in an altercation with several men who he says were intoxicated.
One of the men had vomited in the parking lot. As Chappelle confronted another man who was urinating in the parking lot, a third man hit him in the head.
Chappelle then used pepper spray.
“At that point, all of the group started charging the security guard. The security guard, in fear for his life, started taking off running,” said Det. James Mason, Austin Police Department.
The men began throwing rocks at Chappelle. That’s when he told them to stop.
“Had I gotten caught by those individuals, I would have been the one at the hospital or worse,” said Chappelle.
When the men did not follow his orders to stop, he fired his weapon, hitting one man in the shoulder.
Police say charges are pending against the man who was shot.
The rest of the group drove away, but police caught up with Jose Benjamin Cabrera-Diosdado, 18, and Luis Enrique Ortega-Vazquez, 26. They are charged with aggravated assault against a peace officer.
Chappelle says using his weapon is always the last option..
“Once I saw that he was responsive, still breathing, it wasn’t a very serious injury, I was relieved after that,” said Chappelle.
The man who was shot suffered non life-threatening injuries.
Police are looking for two more men who were involved in the assault on Chappelle. They could also face charges.
Chappelle is suspended from his security job while the shooting is under investigation.

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Police Nab Pair With 99 ID’s www.privateofficer.com

Police Catch Pair With 99 ID’s www.privateofficer.com

TAMPA Fla. Jan 29 2008 – Airport police are investigating what a Chicago man and a homeless woman traveling with him planned to do with 99 driver’s licenses stolen from people across the country and doctored with their pictures.
Kenneth Blake, 39, and Theresa Hensle, 39, were traveling under different names from Tampa to New Orleans on Southwest Airlines, but Transportation Security Administration employees did not recognize their identification were tampered with to show their pictures, airport spokeswoman Brenda Geoghagan said
This is real identification of other people that they are using,” Geoghagan said.
Christopher White, a TSA spokesman in Washington, was not concerned, however, that the employee had not noticed the fraudulent licenses. “While travel document checkers are an important layer of security, they are one layer of many,” White said.
TSA considers document checks one part of a 20-layer system that includes baggage checks, bottled liquids scans and air marshals, he said.
About six months ago, TSA replaced contract workers with document checkers, who have black lights to look for the holograms imprinted on driver licenses and photographer’s loupes to check ink quality, White said. The checkers’ efforts have led to more than 100 arrests for fraudulent documents nationwide, he said.
In Tampa, airport police arrested Blake and Hensle at a Chili’s Too restaurant at Airside C about 8:50 p.m. Sunday after a woman reported prescription medication and credit cards missing from her purse, Geoghagan said.
“They had a 30-minute window before they departed and I guess they couldn’t help themselves,” Geoghagan said.
As police officers searched the restaurant, other diners pointed out Blake and Hensle, who had left behind a large shopping bag and who had been sitting near the woman who was robbed, Geoghagan said.
The couple at first denied owning the bag, then acknowledged it was theirs, she said.
In the bag were doctored driver’s licenses, driver’s license blanks, partially completed counterfeit licenses, stolen credit cards, checks and gift cards, she said.
The couple had a real check for $10,000 payable to someone else and the identification in the other name to support cashing that check, she said.
Blake and Hensle were in Orient Road Jail on Monday. Blake’s bail was set at $215,500 and Hensle’s at $220,000. Each is charged with multiple counts of felony possession of counterfeit identification and felony dealing in stolen property, among other charges. A national criminal data search shows Blake was convicted in Illinois for felony theft in 2004, 2006 and 2007.
Geoghagan said police plan to add charges as they unravel the case. “Detectives have been calling victims all around the country to verify what’s missing.”

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Microsoft investigators, college police bust student for theft www.privateofficer.com

Microsoft investigators, college police arrest student for theft www.privateofficer.com

Boulder CO. Jan 28 2008

A University of Colorado graduate student has been arrested on suspicion of stealing at least 150 software codes from stickers on university computers and selling them online for a total of about $30,000.
Engineering student Beichuan Yan, 34, told investigators he needed the money because his wife is pregnant, according to a CU police report
Investigators with Microsoft Corp. alerted campus police to the thefts, and Yan was arrested Thursday after admitting he peeled stickers off computers in the engineering building and sold the authenticity codes for Microsoft XP Professional, the police report said. Buyers could then use the codes to register illicit copies of the software.
A Microsoft investigator and a private detective hired by the global software company uncovered the scam by purchasing 10 of the authenticity labels from Yan at $200 apiece, said CU police Cmdr. Brad Weisley.
The investigators then traced the codes to computers on CU’s Boulder campus, Weisley said.
“It’s like a high-tech version of shoplifting,” he said. “Except the value is much more than a typical shoplifting case.”
Yan was arrested on suspicion of felony theft and posted a $3,500 bond Thursday afternoon. He couldn’t be reached for comment Friday.
Weisley said he doesn’t know what Yan’s arrest will mean for his status at CU, except that the university’s Office of Judicial Affairs will review the incident.
“This is a pretty unusual case,” he said.
CU officials probably won’t start removing the stickers from every computer they buy, Weisley said.
“There are thousands, if not tens of thousands, of computer devices on campus,” he said. “That could turn into chaos.”
Software companies are the real losers in piracy scams, which is why Microsoft has dedicated investigators and resources to halting illegal sales, company spokeswoman Julie Robertson said.
“Infringing upon intellectual property has become an increasingly common way for criminals to deceive the public,” she said.

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County employees charged with fraud from program www.privateofficer.com

County employees arrested for theft of money www.privateofficer.com

Chicago IL. Jan 28, 2008

Cook County IL.
Three former Cook County government employees and five others have been charged with stealing as much as $1.6 million, including more than $500,000 from taxpayers.
The county workers accused in the fraud scheme are employees of Cook County Board President Todd Stroger’s job training program, known as the President’s Office of Employment Training, or POET.
The three former employees are Roberto Rivera, Ronald Harper and Rudolph Sanchez. Each held high-ranking positions in POET. Rivera and Harper appeared in court this afternoon, while Sanchez awaits extradition from New Mexico, prosecutors said.
Others charged include Charles Koen, a convicted felon who is pastor of Christian Hope Church in Chicago; and Alex Brooks, a reverend there, prosecutors said.
Also charged are Joyce Norfleet and Dorothy Taylor, employees at what prosecutors say was a shell company set up by Koen.
Harper was led from his office Thursday in handcuffs. He’s been fired, officials said.
The county POET office gets millions of dollars in county, state and federal funds to provide job training.
In 2005, POET fiscal manager Shirley Glover was charged with stealing more than $180,000 from the agency. Described by prosecutors as “unqualified” and “inept,” she was hired at the urging of top county patronage chiefs despite having 10 previous felony convictions for crimes including theft. Records showed she never formally applied for the job and was hired by ex-Board President John Stroger.
State’s Attorney Richard Devine said then there were a “lack of controls” and “significant looseness” in oversight of POET funds — concerns that led state officials to label the county POET program as “high-risk,” meaning no funds could be withdrawn without state approval.
Glover remains free on bail after pleading not guilty. She last appeared in court on Wednesday.

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K-Mart Employee Charged In Refund Scam www.privateofficer.com

K-Mart Employee Arrested For Refund Scam www.privateofficer.com

Maysville Ohio Jan 28, 2008

Maysville Ohio
A Mason County grand jury met Friday and returned indictments against 11 people, one of which was indicted for allegedly stealing several thousand dollars from her employer, Kmart.Mary Jane Cooper, 49, of Maysville, an 18-year veteran employee of the Maysville Kmart store appeared in Mason County District Court in October 2007 on charges of theft for allegedly stealing between $3,600 and $3,700 from the store; at the time of her court appearance Cooper entered a plea of not guilty.In a previous interview, Detective Mike Palmer with the Maysville Police Department said 49-year-old Cooper had been charged with two felony counts of theft by deception and one misdemeanor count of theft by deception, though more charges were possible.The indictment handed down Friday charges Cooper with one count theft by failure to make required disposition when she took an amount in excess of $300. The penalty for the charge is one to five years.According to Palmer, police were alerted to the possible theft through Kmart’s loss prevention department.Allegedly, Cooper stole the money through the fraudulent processing of return and exchange paperwork for nonexistent items, then pocketed the money. Palmer said it appeared Cooper would use a receipt for items purchased earlier, then cash out a refund, without the item being returned. After numerous items which were supposedly returned could not be found, officials with the store became suspicious.

The thefts allegedly occurred over a period of time beginning in December 2005 through September 2007.A spokesperson for Kmart would not comment on the situation citing a corporate policy and ongoing litigation.

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School security officers charged in “Ghost Payrolling” theft www.privateofficer.com

School security officers charged with “Ghost Payrolling” theft www.privateofficer.com

Waukegan IL Jan 28 2008

WAUKEGAN IL. — A six-month investigation into alleged ghost-payrolling at the Waukegan Public School District led to the arrest this week of two district security guards on felony theft charges.
Taken into custody Wednesday was Anthony Artley, 41, of the 500 block of Lakehurst in Waukegan, while the second suspect, 47-year-old DeWayne Williams of the 39000 block of Ackworth, Beach Park, reportedly turned himself in to police on Thursday.
Williams is known in the Waukegan sports community as the backfield mate of the late Gerald Green, the Waukegan West track and football All-American. Williams has been employed as the supervisor of safety at the Waukegan Ninth Grade Center.
Police Chief William Biang said Williams and Artley, a fellow Ninth Grade Center employee, are accused of arranging to be paid for time they did not work. The arrests were the result of an investigation launched in July after school officials asked police to look into allegations of payroll and accounting irregularities.
Asked how much money the men are accused of taking, Biang said, “It’s all still under investigation. We’re not done counting it, and there are more things that might come out.” Biang added that the amounts “will be substantial.”
Both men are charged with Class 3 felony theft.
Following their arrests, Artley and Williams were released on $35,000 personal recognizance bonds. They have been placed on administrative leave by the school district.
Officials asked that anyone with information call detectives at (847) 599-2947.

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University Executive Guilty In Shoplifting Case www.privateofficer.com

University Executive Pleads Guilty To Shoplifting www.privateofficer.com

EDMOND Okla. Jan 28 2008 — The executive director of alumni relations at the University of Central Oklahoma pleaded no contest to a larceny charge Thursday in Oklahoma City Municipal Court.
Stacy McNeiland, 37, of Oklahoma City was fined $219. She also was ordered to pay $117 for the time she spent in jail.
McNeiland was arrested at J.C. Penney’s, 1901 NW Expressway, after a store security officer said he watched a woman take five items of clothing into a fitting room, according to an Oklahoma City police report.
When the woman left the fitting room, the officer said only four items were hung on the courtesy rack. One item of clothing was hung on two hangers, the report states.
The officer said he found a discarded tag from a blouse left in the fitting room, the report shows. A blouse was found in a paper bag the woman was carrying as she left the store without paying for the merchandise, according to the report. The officer reported that the bag was empty when the woman went into the fitting room.
The woman, later identified as McNeiland, repeatedly told the officer the incident was a mistake, the report states.
McNeiland was on vacation Friday from her university job. She has not worked since her arrest Nov. 5.
University spokesman Charlie Johnson said he could not comment because the issue was a personnel matter.

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Police Officer Shot, Killed At Home www.privateofficer.com

Memphis TN. Jan 28, 2008

A Memphis police officer was found shot to death at his residence Monday after his SUV was discovered burning several blocks away, authorities say.
Lt. Ed Vidulich, 51, was apparently shot, though an autopsy will determine the cause of death, said police spokeswoman Monique Martin.
There were no obvious signs of forced entry to the residence. “We have some leads, but it’s a mystery,” Martin said.
Shortly after midnight Sunday, police investigating the discovery of a sport utility vehicle found burning on a city street determined that it belonged to Vidulich.
Officers went to his residence and found his body, Martin said.
Police said Vidulich talked with his wife, a sheriff’s department dispatcher, by phone about 9 p.m. Sunday and the SUV was believed set on fire about 10:30 p.m.
Investigators were initially focused on determining Vidulich’s activities during that time gap.

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